Protesters in Sofia Block Orlov Most Junction

A group of over thousand protesters, who are seeking an overall change of the corrupt model of government in place for the past 23 years, returned to the Orlov Most junction and staged a road block. Photo by BGNES

Pro- and anti-government protesters in downtown Sofia have parted ways, thereby preventing a potential escalation of tension and clashes.

The anti-government rally left the area in front of the Parliament building, leaving the group of supporters of the GERB government there.

A group of over thousand protesters, who are seeking an overall change of the corrupt model of government in place for the past 23 years, returned to the Orlov Most junction, where the rally started, and staged a road block.

According to reports of the BGNES news agency, an escalation of tension or clashes between police and protesters seem unlikely.

The protests in the capital on Wednesday were marred by clashes between police and protesters, which resulted in around ten injured, who were taken to the Pirogov hospital.

Prime Minister Boyko Borisov announced Wednesday morning that the center-right GERB government would resign collectively by noon.

The step follows a series of mass protest rallies against high electricity prices that morphed into wider discontent over austerity and the way the country is being run.

Borisov told MPs on Wednesday that his party would not be part of a caretaker government.

Bulgaria's Parliament is to vote on the Cabinet's resignation on Thursday.